Leigh Noyes

Leigh Noyes (December 15, 1885 – March 24, 1961) was a vice admiral in the United States Navy during World War II. He was Director of Naval Communications before the outbreak of World War II and later served as commander, Carrier Division 3 and commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet.^[1]

Leigh Noyes
Captain Leigh Noyes in 1937
Born	(1885-12-15)December 15, 1885 St. Johnsbury, Vermont
Died	March 24, 1961(1961-03-24) (aged 75) Washington, D.C.
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Navy
Years of service	1906–1946
Rank	Vice Admiral
Commands	Director of Naval Communications Task Force 61
Battles / wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Navy Cross Legion of Merit

Biography

Grave at Arlington National Cemetery

Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1906, he won the Navy Cross while serving as flag secretary and fleet communication officer of the Atlantic Fleet during World War I. He was also decorated with the Russian Order of Saint Stanislaus, 3rd Class for the saving of Russian refugees from a sinking boat in the Black Sea.

In 1934, he took over command of the USS Richmond. In 1937 he completed flight training and took command of USS Lexington. In 1938, he was appointed as chief of staff, aircraft, Battle Force.

At the time war broke out in 1941, Rear Admiral Noyes was director of naval communications in Washington and was accused of not passing along the "Bomb Plot" intercept of 9 October 1941 indicating that the Japanese Consulate in Honolulu was under instructions to report ship locations in Pearl Harbor. In March 1942, he was sent to Pearl Harbor servicing as Admiral Halsey's shore administrator. He was considered to replace Halsey for Midway but instead Admiral Raymond A. Spruance was selected. In June 1942, he was given command of Task Force 18 and later Task Force 61 transferred his flag to USS Wasp.

After Wasp was torpedoed on September 14, 1942, he was criticized for his actions and reassigned as commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific Fleet, which he held until October 1942. In 1945 he was appointed to the position of president, Board of Inspection and Survey, serving until 1946 when he retired. He was promoted to vice admiral in the retired list in 1950.

Decorations

Here is the ribbon bar of Vice Admiral Leigh Noyes:

Naval Aviator Badge
1st Row	Navy Cross									Legion of Merit with Combat "V"
2nd Row	World War I Victory Medal with Atlantic Fleet Clasp							American Defense Service Medal							Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with three service stars
3rd Row	American Campaign Medal							World War II Victory Medal							Russian Order of Saint Stanislaus, 3rd Class

Military offices
Preceded by Charles E. Courtney	Director of Naval Communications June 1939 – February 1942	Succeeded by Joseph R. Redman

References

1. Noyes, Leigh H.